The Witcher 2 Leaked Online, Causes Uproar From Gamers

CD Projekt's highly anticipated RPG The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings is not due a release until May 17th. Despite the developers efforts to keep the game from pirates, the full game has been leaked online. However, those downloading the game are being shunned by gamers for disrespecting the company's generosity to PC gamers.

It was inevitable that a highly anticipated PC title like The Witcher 2 would be leaked before its official release date. In fact, this was so obviously going to happen that developers CD Projekt prepared for it months beforehand. Firstly they won the hearts of the gaming community by announcing that the game would be released without any form of DRM. They followed this move up by stating that they would be hunting down and issuing out fines to anyone that illegally downloaded their upcoming RPG sequel. The former of these decisions was retracted slightly as it is now only the GoG.com download of the game that will be completely DRM free, with other versions maintaining copy protection measures with SecuROM. However, CD Projekt’s relative ease on the highly controversial topic has won the hearts of many gamers who have shown their support through some rather surprising, and uplifting statements.

One leaker has uploaded some footage of themselves playing the game:

Unfortunately CD Projekt’s threats and security measures have not deterred the full game being leaked for download, along with the security crack. Of course, many people have slammed their fingers on the ‘Download Torrent’ button and are reportedly playing the game with no interruptions. However, the leak has caused a bit of a defiant uproar from many gamers who have shamed anyone for even considering downloading the game before release. It seems that the PC gaming community have sided heavily with CD Projekt due to a high amount of respect for their dedication to PC gaming, maintaining an interest in cRPG’s, and treating gamers with respect rather than condemning them all as thieving pirates. The message being spread across the internet is one that hopes to encourage more pre-orders and patience to ensure that CD Projekt are given the return in profits they deserve for their trust in the gaming community.

Here are a just a couple of quotes from those outraged with leak:

This is one game I would not pirate for sure. The developers have specifically stated that they don't believe in DRM and hence are making it available on GOG for that reason. The DRM in other releases is due to PUBLISHERS (like NAMCO, ATARI) who are forcing the copy-protection.

I haven't played the original Witcher but since it's made by Cd Projekt the guys who brought us GoG I would hope we don't pirate their shiznit.

They seem like a decent, well meaning company and have reinvigorated some gamers interests in cRPG, not through the Witcher, but through their GoG subsidiary. For that they deserve to be supported, and the best support is $.

Do you agree with those staying loyal to the developers and are eagerly awaiting your pre-ordered copy of The Witcher 2?

Or are you about to go frantically searching the web for the leaked copy with no regard for the previous threats and the developers hard work?

Whatever your view point, you can still enjoy these luscious screenshots from the game leaked by those playing it: